Four Chitungwiza men appeared in court Wednesday, facing property damage charges after they allegedly set cars ablaze at several Harare businesses. The incidents happened before planned March 31 demonstrations that never materialized. Last Matarutse, Abel Jobe, Kizito Chinhanga, and Thomas Chanetsa stood separately before Harare regional magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa. The judge kept them in custody until April 14 and told them to seek bail through the High Court.
Court documents state that Matarutse drove his silver Toyota Corolla to IMC Communications company at 42 Lanack Road, Avondale, around 2:15 a.m. on March 28, 2025. He reportedly parked at the entrance gate and ignited his vehicle, aiming to destroy the entire business premises. The fire damaged the lighting system and a sign post labeled Starlink authorized dealer. That same day, Jobe traveled to Sano Complex Goromonzi with his blue Nissan Sunny car and parked outside.
Prosecutors claim Jobe wanted to burn down the complex. He allegedly set fire to his vehicle, which exploded, but failed to cause any damage to the property. The state further alleges that Chininga drove his blue Nissan X-Trail to Sakunda Holdings at number 11 Argyle Road, Avondale, during the same timeframe. Court papers indicate he parked at the entrance gate and torched his vehicle, intending to destroy everything.
Chanetsa visited the DA Service Station at 486A Glennara Avenue, North Highlands, Harare, according to prosecutors. He allegedly parked on the forecourt and set his car ablaze, hoping to burn down the entire station. The fire was extinguished before it could spread to any property at the location. All four men remain behind bars as their cases move forward through the legal system.
Court documents state that Matarutse drove his silver Toyota Corolla to IMC Communications company at 42 Lanack Road, Avondale, around 2:15 a.m. on March 28, 2025. He reportedly parked at the entrance gate and ignited his vehicle, aiming to destroy the entire business premises. The fire damaged the lighting system and a sign post labeled Starlink authorized dealer. That same day, Jobe traveled to Sano Complex Goromonzi with his blue Nissan Sunny car and parked outside.
Prosecutors claim Jobe wanted to burn down the complex. He allegedly set fire to his vehicle, which exploded, but failed to cause any damage to the property. The state further alleges that Chininga drove his blue Nissan X-Trail to Sakunda Holdings at number 11 Argyle Road, Avondale, during the same timeframe. Court papers indicate he parked at the entrance gate and torched his vehicle, intending to destroy everything.
Chanetsa visited the DA Service Station at 486A Glennara Avenue, North Highlands, Harare, according to prosecutors. He allegedly parked on the forecourt and set his car ablaze, hoping to burn down the entire station. The fire was extinguished before it could spread to any property at the location. All four men remain behind bars as their cases move forward through the legal system.
